Calming the Storm: Tour and Technical Training, Using “Natural Methods” to Manage Stormwater

The Resource Conservation District, County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley Water District are hosting a bus tour and technical training on Thursday, December 15 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM highlighting five local low stormwater project that were recently completed in Soquel, Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz and Live Oak.

The projects demonstrate what is known as Low Impact Development or LID. LID is an approach to land development (or re-development) that works with nature to manage rainwater runoff on site instead of piping it out to the street and into storm drains where it may otherwise contribute to flooding and pollution problems. LID employs principles such as preserving and recreating natural landscape features, minimizing hardened surfaces where water can’t infiltrate into the ground, and creating functional and appealing site drainage systems that treat stormwater as a resource rather than a waste product. LID practices help with long term drought response by capturing stormwater, increasing groundwater recharge, and making water available for future use. As water resources become scarcer and climate change alters rainfall and runoff patterns, it becomes more imperative to maximize the beneficial uses of water and reduce the long-term impacts of development.

The County and City of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley Water District, the Resource Conservation District (RCD) and the Regional Water Management Foundation have partnered to successfully secure $2,259,773 in Proposition 84 Stormwater Grant Program funds to help complete these projects partners are contributing an additional $712,310 of local in-kind match to complete the projects. This effort continues a long tradition of collaboration among organizations working together to improve water quality and water supply in Santa Cruz.

The funding for these projects will also be used to develop case studies and provide outreach and hands-on technical assistance to homeowners, contractors, and developers throughout the County to further promote Low Impact Development. These same LID practices can be applied to individual homes and businesses.